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'''Fascism''' today is used as a synonym for [[totalitarianism]]. However, the word has a deeper meaning.

'''Fascism''' today is a word used for attacking proposals to expand the government.  

Historically, Fascism is a totalitarian economic and political ideology that arose in early twentieth-century Europe and came to dominate the social and political systems of Italy under [[Benito Mussolini]] and Germany under [[Adolf Hitler]]. It was influential in Portugal as well, and had followers in most European countries and in Argentina. The last fascism regime, that of [[Francisco Franco]] in Spain, came to an end in 1975.

Historically, Fascism is a [[totalitarian]] economic and political ideology that arose in early twentieth-century Europe and came to dominate the social and political systems of Italy under [[Benito Mussolini]] and Germany under [[Adolf Hitler]]. It was influential in Portugal as well, and had followers in most European countries and in Argentina. The last fascism regime, that of [[Francisco Franco]] in Spain, came to an end in 1975.

The name "fascism" derives from an ancient Roman symbol, the ''[[fasces]],'' a group of birch rods bundled together with an axe. It symbolizes strength in unity; the rods are weak by themselves but strong when bundled together.  Historian [[Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr.]] has stated, "The Fascists were not conservative in any very meaningful sense. They did not wish to preserve the existing order, or even to turn back the clock to some more stable century. They purposefully planned to transform the existing order into a new and all-absorbing authoritarianism, based upon the energies and frustrations of modern industrialism. The Fascists, in a meaningful sense, were [[Revolution|revolutionaries]]."<ref>[http://www.writing.upenn.edu/~afilreis/50s/schlesinger-notrightleft.html Not Right, Not Left, But a Vital Center], [[Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr.]], ''New York Times Magazine'', April 4, 1948.</ref>  

The name "fascism" derives from an ancient Roman symbol, the ''[[fasces]],'' a group of birch rods bundled together with an axe. It symbolizes strength in unity; the rods are weak by themselves but strong when bundled together.  Historian [[Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr.]] has stated, "The Fascists were not conservative in any very meaningful sense. They did not wish to preserve the existing order, or even to turn back the clock to some more stable century. They purposefully planned to transform the existing order into a new and all-absorbing authoritarianism, based upon the energies and frustrations of modern industrialism. The Fascists, in a meaningful sense, were [[Revolution|revolutionaries]]."<ref>[http://www.writing.upenn.edu/~afilreis/50s/schlesinger-notrightleft.html Not Right, Not Left, But a Vital Center], [[Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr.]], ''New York Times Magazine'', April 4, 1948.</ref>  

== Beliefs ==

== Beliefs ==

Fascists believe that all actions should be done for the good of the state; they reject [[classical liberalism]], which upholds the rights of the individual. This definition expands to economic policy as well, with government and business working together for this end - this is called "corporatism."  

Fascists believe that all actions should be done for the good of the state; they reject [[classical liberalism]], which upholds the rights of the individual. It ignores or rejects Christianity.  This definition expands to economic policy as well, with government and business working together for this end - this is called "corporatism."  

Characteristics of fascism include a belief that the state is more important than the individual; a leaning towards authoritarian government and violence; preference for centralized [[economic planning]]; an emphasis on [[nationalism]] and national traditions; militarism; information control and censorship; media propagation of the Great Leader which demonizes and trivializes his critics; and a rejection of both free enterprise and [[Socialism]] in favor of [[corporatism|corporatist]] economic policies.  

Characteristics of fascism include a belief that the state is more important than the individual; a leaning towards authoritarian government and violence; preference for centralized [[economic planning]]; an emphasis on [[nationalism]] and national traditions; militarism; information control and censorship; media propagation of the Great Leader which demonizes and trivializes his critics; and a rejection of both free enterprise and [[Socialism]] in favor of [[corporatism|corporatist]] economic policies.